Find out how to pair Asian food with Gewürztraminer
Asian cuisine stands out for its simplicity, elegance and use of fresh ingredients. Its dishes invite us to experience intense flavors and textures, which can be paired by different types of wines, with an aromatic emphasis and light fresh wines such as Gewürztraminer varietal wines.
Gewürztraminer essentials
Gewürztraminer is made from a variety of pink grape, native of the Alsace region, the border between France and Germany, with cold climates and clay soils. Its varieties often have solidly structured aromatic and tropical fruit notes, peach, orange, honey and fruity aromas, predominantly lychee (tropical fruit).
Gewürztraminer and Asian food?
The fascinating flavors offered by Asian food typical of each region (Southwest, Northeast or Southeast Asia), incorporate a variety of ingredients, vegetables, spices and cooking methods that give each of their dishes a unique personality.
The exotic, acidic or bittersweet flavors of its preparations can be difficult to pair with wine, however, Gewürztraminer wine pairs very well with strong flavors on the palate, such as Thai food, or with well-seasoned Middle Eastern or Moroccan dishes. It is recommended to serve at a temperature between 7 or 10 degrees Celsius.
Pairing with sushi
Sushi is considered the most famous Japanese dish in the world, and its ingredients are generally rice, seaweed, salmon, and shrimp. The different regions in Japan, as well as the popularity reached around the world, have given rise to a range of styles.
Among the most popular is the Nigiri, which consists of a portion of oval-shaped rice pressed by hand, on which is placed a slice of fish or shellfish that can be raw (tuna or salmon) or cooked, which can be added with different toppings, like wasabi.
On the other hand, in the “Maki” the rice and fish are rolled in a sheet of seaweed (nori), and later it is cut into individual sections. It can include fish, shellfish, vegetables, or cream cheese.
The pairing with sushi prepared with fresh vegetables and an acid wine is ideal, while if the base is fish, it can be combined with a low-tannin, young and fruity wine.
Gewürztraminer is a great option to clear the palate. Its light sweetness makes it the ideal pairing for sweet meats or Unagi (freshwater eel), as well as slightly more complex recipes, such as tempura.
Thai food pairing
The exquisite Thai food stands out for including rice, added to different types of meat, seafood, vegetables and spices. Its five main flavors are: salty, sweet, sour, bitter and spicy. Together with the different spices, it results in a perfect balance to your dishes.
Gewürztraminer wine pairs very well with dishes that contain a touch of sweetness. Some of the emblematic dishes to try this wine with Thai food are the following:
- “Pad Thai”, preparation of fried rice noodles with chicken, shrimp or tofu.
- “Khao Pad Goong”, which consists of fried rice sauteed with vegetables and soy sauce.
- “Tom Kha Kai”, spicy chicken soup that includes coconut milk and lemongrass (lemongrass).
Cono Sur’s Gewürztraminer with intense aromas of peaches, lychee, floral notes, creamy, smooth with a pleasant finish of great minerality, is the perfect pairing with Asian food with vibrant and complex flavors.